Location
Lake Tuggeranong is situated adjacent to the Tuggeranong Town Centre, spanning from Bonython to Kambah. The Lake's water is comprised of stormwater discharge from urban and rural areas. It has a surface area of 57 hectares.
Description of facilities
Lake Tuggeranong was established in 1987 as a settling pond to trap soil and debris and improve the quality of the water flowing into the Murrumbidgee River. It was designed as a setting for the Town Centre and a recreation and landscape feature for the Tuggeranong community. The natural character of the Lake, its foreshores and associated conservation values are greatly valued by the Tuggeranong community.
Toilets and barbeque/picnic areas are located at Town Centre Park, Mundang Beach (Sea Scouts) and Nguru Beach.
A cycleway/walkway has been constructed around the full periphery of the Lake, linking in with the Tuggeranong cycleway network at a number of locations.
Stormwater control
The Lake provides an important stormwater detention facility, linking Tuggeranong Creek and its tributaries to the Murrumbidgee River.
It is possible for lake water to be used for irrigation of the Tuggeranong Park area.
Potential hazards associated with the facility
Given their urban runoff water source, urban lakes may be subject to health hazards such as toxic blue-green algal blooms or high faecal bacteria counts. Lake water quality is monitored by health and environmental agencies, who issue public health warnings in the event of toxic blue-green algae or faecal bacteria representing a potential risk to health.
Elevated water flow velocities in the vicinity of the Athllon Drive spillway at times of heavy rainfall represent a potential safety hazard. Fences and a floating boom have been installed to exclude the public from this area.
Lake edges have been gently graded along areas of deep water to avoid sudden drops which might create difficulties for small children entering the water.
Graded edges also minimise the potential for the Lake to become a local mosquito nuisance.
